John Leandro Reyes is an academic, researcher, peacebuilder, and development practitioner committed to advancing knowledge in his field.Currently, Leandro is affiliated with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) under the Civil Peace Service program. He works with the Southeast Asian University Partnership for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation, serving as Project Manager overseeing and supporting Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in developing program designs for various peacebuilding initiatives.Prior to working with the German Agency for International Cooperation, Leandro had been an academic for nearly five years, beginning soon after earning his bachelor’s degree in 2019. He served as an instructor in the Department of History at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, where he taught courses in Philippine History. During his time as a university lecturer, he was also active in research and participated in both local and international conferences, most recently presenting his study on Chinese immigrants in the Philippines at Peking University, Beijing, China. He is also engaged in extension work.He holds a bachelor’s degree in International History, graduating cum laude and receiving the Best Thesis Award at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology. He later obtained his master’s degree in History from the same institute, and presented his master’s thesis at the Asian Political International Studies Association Annual Congress in Thailand, co-hosted by Chiang Mai University and the IAFOR Research Center at the Osaka School of Public Policy.Leandro focuses his writing on topics such as historical studies, peace and conflict management, human rights, migration studies, and the Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao. His latest research involved working with the Matigsalug-Manobo community of Kitaotao, Bukidnon, where he documented their political structures as part of a local government initiative.He actively participates in public scholarship through lectures and consulting services, contributing his expertise to academic and community discussions. Additionally, he serves as the advisor for Project ABEL, a youth-led initiative dedicated to fortifying senior rights and elderly care in the Philippines.
